Results 42,921-42,940 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned by the recent upsurge in attacks against Chaldean and other Christians in Iraq, including the horrific attack against defenceless worshippers at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on 31 October which left 52 people dead. I fully support EU High Representative Ashton's statements on these attacks on 1 and 3 November. It is deeply regrettable for Iraq as a whole that...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 46 together. On 3 September last, the Foreign Ministers of Sweden and Finland proposed setting up an EU Institute for Peace, which would engage in conflict resolution activities worldwide and develop the EU's capacity to engage in mediation activities. The announcement of this proposal coincided with a period of intense efforts to establish the European...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The following Irish citizens have been appointed by High Representative Ashton to the European External Action Service: Mr William Hanna has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Dhaka. Mr Paul Malin has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Maputo. Mr Gerard McGovern has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Gaborone. Mr David O'Sullivan has been appointed as Chief...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 125 together. Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States remains an important priority for this Government. The Government is also committed to working with our friends in Congress to enhance Ireland's bilateral visa arrangements with the US through the establishment of a two year renewable E-3 visa facility. I am very much...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I condemn those responsible for the planting of explosive devices in Northern Ireland and all other forms of attack against the PSNI and local communities. Such attacks have no agenda beyond that of trying to destabilise and undermine the peace process. I extend best wishes for a speedy recovery to the 3 PSNI officers who were injured in a particularly sinister attack as they were attending...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 130 together. I have continued to follow closely developments in relation to the blockade of Gaza following the announcement by Israel in June of a significant easing of the terms of the blockade. The move to a transparent negative list of items not allowed to enter Gaza has largely resolved the problem of uncertainty and lack of consistency in...

Written Answers — United Nations Iniatives: United Nations Iniatives (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland believes strongly in the need for reform of the United Nations aimed at improving the performance and effectiveness of the Organisation so that it can continue to provide necessary leadership to develop effective multilateral responses to the major global challenges. The reform task includes, in particular, reform of the major UN organs so that they are fit for purpose and adjusted to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such Agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

Written Answers — United Nations Initiatives: United Nations Initiatives (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Alliance of Civilizations was established in 2005 as an initiative of Spain and Turkey under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and religions and to help counter forces that fuel polarisation and extremism. Ireland is a member of the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilisations which now...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Recent events in Yemen highlight the fragility of the state and the challenges it faces in combating terrorism. The mail bombs discovered last month in aircraft in the UK and Dubai coupled with the assassination of approximately 100 government officials in recent months underscore the serious nature of the threat posed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The stability of the country is...

Written Answers — United Nations Initiatives: United Nations Initiatives (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The UN Secretariat's Department of Public Information has responsibility within the UN system for promoting global awareness and greater understanding of the work of the United Nations. The DPI works across all communications media, and the United Nations website and the UN News Service (including UN Radio) run by the DPI serve as key sources in providing information and news on the UN. The...

Written Answers — Overseas Elections: Overseas Elections (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Elections took place during May 2010 in Ethiopia to the House of People's Representatives and the State Councils. The ruling EPRDF party and its partners won 544 of 547 seats in the House of People's Representatives in a first past the post electoral system. I welcome the publication on 8th November last of the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)....

Written Answers — G20 Summit: G20 Summit (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: G20 leaders met in Seoul, Korea on 11 and 12 November. The meeting was an important stock-taking opportunity and enabled G20 members to follow-up on commitments made previously on a coordinated global response to the financial crisis. Discussion at Seoul centred on the global economy and the framework for growth, IMF governance and financial regulation. At the Summit, G20 leaders agreed on...

Written Answers — European Union Accession: European Union Accession (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Commission adopted its 2010 enlargement package on 9 November, which included the Commission's 2010 Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports on Western Balkan countries. These reports will provide a basis for further discussion and conclusions at the December Council. Commissioner for Enlargement and External Relations Stefan Fuele emphasised the importance of the EU's...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are currently four boards which operate under the aegis of my Department: the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange) and the Irish Aid Expert...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The prospect of accession to the Union is a very important element in the overall diplomacy of the EU in its neighbouring Balkan region. It bolsters and acts as an incentive to reform efforts, both economic and political, promotes regional cooperation and the resolution of disputes and should lead over time to greater stability, progress and benefits for Europe as a whole. Ireland is...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned about the deterioration in the human rights situation in general in Iran since the Presidential election in 2009. We have witnessed the continued repression of civil and political rights in Iran, including in relation to freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrest and torture in detention. This highly targeted repression has been particularly stringent...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Commission adopted its 2010 Enlargement Package on 9 November. Commissioner for Enlargement and External Relations Stefan Fuele emphasised the importance of the EU's Enlargement policy and stressed the significance of credibility in the process, in terms of conditionality and the efforts of candidate counties. Regarding Croatia, the Commission confirmed that the accession...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: EU Ministers last discussed the situation in Colombia in 2007 when we adopted Conclusions which expressed the Council's full support for the Colombian government in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict. The Council reaffirmed its readiness to assist the Colombian government, state institutions, civil society and international organisations in providing support...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I met with the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parilla on 19 May during his visit to Dublin. During this meeting, we discussed a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including EU-Cuba and Cuba-US relations. At the Foreign Affairs Council in October, Ministers considered recent developments in Cuba, including the ongoing release of political prisoners and the announcement of...